Brake



C. l. FRANTZ Dec. 20, 1932 BRAKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 .IZVVENTUE lZfiH/VTZ y ll? T UENEY5 Filed March 17, 1932 Dec. 20, 1932. c, FRANTZ 1,891,805

BRAKE Filed March 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lvr Ewrmz L IFPENTZ Dec. 20, 1932 c, FRANTZ 1,891,805

BRAKE Filed March 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 -IVVENTUR I1 JffZPHNT z ETIUENEYi Dec. 20, 1932.

C. l. FRANTZ BRAKE Filed March 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 JVE'NTUE IZFPJJNTZ LQIJ'DENEYS.

C. I. FRANTZ Dec. 20, 1932 BRAKE Filed March 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JNVENTUE IJFFHNTZ flzZZe/r/ JTJQENEYE Patented Dec. 20,

-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CBUTHEBS I. M532, 0! ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF IO PAUL A. ERANTZ, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA BRAKE Application filed larch v1-1, 1932. sci-mind. 599,440.

M invention relates to a brake of a type in w ich a main spring motor together with counter spring motors are used to actuate the release and the application of brakes.

In this type of brake appliance an object and feature of my invention is the construction and utilization of a main spring motor which is connected with actuating mechanism and what might be termed a secondary spring motor or spring appliance connected to the brake mechanism. By this appliance when the main s ring motor is fully under tension, that is, in the wound-up position, the brakes are fully released and the secondary springs are in a released condition, and the brakes are held in the released position; and vice versa, when the brakes areapplied the main spring motor is in its released or partly released condition and the secondary springs are under increased tension. With this type of brake actuating and semi-balancing mechanism I employ a power transmitting system and control employing a main rotary shaft connected to the main spring motor, such shaft, through a system of lever action and wedges, operatin a reciprocating slide bar, and such sli e bar,

through the medium of links and levers, is

connected to the secondary spring system. The secondary spring system is then-connected to the actuating levers, links, or bars, which operate the brake shoes or brake bands, as the case may be.

A further object and feature of my invention is the employment in connection with the main spring motor of a rotary shaft, the springs of this motor bein connected to the shaft in such a manner t at they are tensioned or stressed to rotate the shaft in one direction, and when such shaft is moved to its limit inone position for releasing the brakes the springs of the motor are fully tensioned. Then when it is desired to apply the brakes the springs of the main motor become partly released, the shaft controlled by these brakes bein rotated in an opposite direction, and the bra es applied through the secondary s stem of springs, which latter are broug t under tension when the brakes are applied to the wheel.

A further object and feature of my invention is controlling and forcing the rotation of the main shaft of the main motor by a suitable control and actuating mechanism whereby the springs of the main motor are tensioned or released at will. The rotation of the main shaft operates on a power transmitting mechanism, of the springs of the main motor releases the auxlhary springs; and viceversa, on the release of the tensioning of the springs of the main motor the auxiliary springs are brought under increased tension.

Another feature of my invention relates to -.the power transmission mechanism. This employs a sliding bar or block which is which, on the tensioning mounted to have rectilinear motion andis actuated in this motion by the rotation of the main or power shaft of the main spring motor. The mechanism for operating the reciprocating block, which may be termed a crosshead, is by means of an arm connected to the main shaft, this arm havinga wedge formed thereon, and the wedge actln on one or more rollers on the sliding cross ead or block. A link connection is made from the crosshead to the secondary, spring system whereby when the main shaft is rotated in one direction to tension the springs of-the main motor for. release of the brakes,.the crosshead block is pulled by the tensioned secondary springs to the position which the crosshead block occupies when the sprin s are released. Then, when the main shaft 1s rotated in a direction for setting the brakes,

this directionv being such as to relieve the 4 ing t springs of the main motor relative balance is obtained whereb the brakes may.

readily be held with any esired degree of pressure on the wheels and maintained with such pressure for an indefinite period. This pressure may be increased or released by rocking the main shaft in one direction or the other, the action of increasing the pressure of the brake shoes or bands on the wheel or drum operating to release or decrease the tension of the springs of the main motor and to increase the tension of the seconda sprin s. Vice versa, the rotation of the sha t in sue a direction as to release the pressure of the brake shoes on the wheel or brake bands on a brake drum operates to increase the tension of the springs of the main motor and to decrease the tension of the secondary e- My invention 1S illustrated in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

F' 1 is a longitudinal-section through a vehi e showing my brake applying apparatus mainly in elevation with certain parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is a plan omitting the power actuating devices and showing part of the covers broken away to illustrate the interior details.

Fi 3 is a longitudinal vertical section on the hne 3-3 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows, showin the slide block or crosshead and associate details, in the brake releasing position. a

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 n the brake applying position.

Fi 5 IS a vertical longitudinal section on the hne 5-5 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows, showing part of the spring motor and its shaft.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Fi 7 is a vertical transverse section on.

the hne 77 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the ad ustable rotating wedge for operating the crosshead.

F i 9 is a longitudinal section of a motor vehic e, showing my invention installed therein.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of a modified construction of my brake for a motor vehicle.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 1111 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows, through a control valve.

The main sprin motor of my invention designated genera y by the numeral 11 has a substantial metal base plate 12 with ournal lugs 13 therein, in whic is mounted the main stationary shaft 14, and on this shaft there is an elongated bushing 15, on which bushing there is rotatably mounted a sleeve 16. This sleeve has a series of flexible straps 17 secured thereto, as indicated at 18. Each of these have tensioning The springs, when under tension, exert a pull to rotate the sleeve in the direction of the arrow 24 (note Fig. 7). A filler washer 25 fits in the ournal lug 13 around the bushing 15. The opening accommodating this allows insertion-of the sleeve 16.

The construction of the spring motor trans- -mission and the control device thereof is as follows, havin reference particularly to Figs. 1 to 4: A I xlike casing structure 26 is formed with the base 12 forming the bottom of the box. This box has anoutside wall 27 and an inside wall 28, the shaft 14 being mounted in the wall 28. The wall 27 has an opening 29 through which extends the shaft 14, the bushing 15, and the sleeve 16, there bemg'a filler collar 30 surrounding the sleeve.

The sleeve 16 has a reduced section 31, and on the inner end of this there is mounted a collar 32 with a radial arm 33. This collar is keyed or pinned as indicated at 34 to thereduced section 31 of the sleeve 16. An adjustable collar 35 is mounted on the reduced section 31 and has an adjustable radial wedging arm 36 formed integral therewith. This arm and its collar is rotatable on reduced section 31. When adjusted, the wedge arm 36 is held inplace by means of a pin 37 which extends through a perforation 38 in a radial arm 39 extending laterally from the sleeve 16 inside of the wall 27. This pin then extends through any one of a series of perforations, 40 placed adjacent the outer end of the adjustab e wedging arm 36. The pin also fits in a perforation 41 in the radial arm 33. A washer 42 mounted on the bushing 15 is for the purpose of receiving the wear of the motion of the arm 33 adjacent the back wall 28. By this construction, as the sleeve 16 is rotated by the springs 19 of the main'spring motor, a rocking motion is given to the arms 33 and 39 and, hence, through the medium of the pin 37, to the central radial wedging arm 36.

The sliding lock or crosshead designated generally by 43 has two bars 44 and a head piece 45. The bars fit in side recesses 46 in the side walls 27 and 28,-and have a sliding bearin on the horizontal shoulders 47. A pair 0 cross arms 48 are secured to the head 45, which head extends through the open 'end 49 of the box structure 26, the opposite end 50 being closed by an end plate. A pair of rollers 51 and 52 are each mounted on pins 53 which extend from side to side ofthe .box

26. Such rollers engage the u per surface 54 of the arms and the head 0 the crosshead and hold this in place on its seat or shoulders 47.

A pin 55 connects the arms 44 of the crosshead, and on this there is mounted a roller 56 which bears on the upper surface 57of the lever has a lon 'tudinal slot 62 in which fits:

a pin 63, this atter extending between the arms 44 of the .crosshead. Therefore, when the lever 58 is rocked in one direction, that is, into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the crosshead is moved inwardly in thebox 26, causing the roller 5.6 to roll outwardly on the surface 57 of the wedge arm andforce this ina downward direction andalong a crosswise direction relative to Fig. 3. This action rotates the sleeve 16 and winds the strap 17 along such sleeve, thus tensioning or winding up the springs 19 of the main motor. When the arm .59 is rocked in the opposite direction, the crosshead is moved partly out of the box and the sprm tension operating on the sleeve 16 rotates t 's sleeveand, hence, the wedge arm 36, causing this arm to follow up and to exert a pressure on the roller 56 and, hence, the tension of the springs of the main motor operates as these release to force the crosshead outwardly. A cover plate 64 fits over the top of the box and has an elongated slot 65 vthrough which the lever 58 operates.

The brake applying mechanism, illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, employs tension links 66 and 67 which are secured to the-cross arms 48 of the crosshead. The link 66 has a chain or cable 68 which extends around a pulley 69, this having a fixed axle 70. The free end 71 of this cable is connected to one end 72 of a balanced lever 73. This lever is pivoted on a fixed vertical pin 74 secured to the vehicle, and the opposite end 75 of this lever is connected to the free end 76 of the link 67.

A brake applying lever 77 is illustrated as pivoted on a vertical pivot pin 78 secured to a fixed part of the vehicle, and a series of springs 79 connect between the end portion 72 of the lever 73 to the short end 80. The

long end 81 is illustrated as connected to alink 82, which link has a pin 83 operatin in a slot 84 in the short arm 85 of the bcfi crank 86. This bell crank rotates a rock shaft 87. The long arm 88 of the bell crank is pivotally connected to a brake shoe 89 wh ch 0 rates on the rim of the wheel 90. A

. counter alancing spring 91 is connected to the long arm 81 of the lever 77 and to a A wheel 93 on the opposite side of the vehicle is braked through the medium of the rock shaft 87, which is rotatable in journals 94 secured to a'fixed'partof the vehicle. rock arm 95 is connected to the free end of this 'rock shaft and this has a brake shoe 96 attached thereto.

Asecond brake lever 97 is pivoted at 98 and has a series of s rings 99-connected .to theshort end 100.

he long end 101 has a .link' similar to the link 82 connected thereto for operating'a rock shaft similar to the rock shaft 87 to a pl brakes to a second set-of wheels, one o w ich is indicated by the numeral 102.

From the above description it will be seen that as the brake operating lever 58 is moved from the position of the released brakesof Fig. 1 to the left, that is, to a position for applying the brakes, that the crosshead is thrust outwardly, the spring motor rotates the sleeve 16 insuch a direction that the ad justable wedging arm .36 exerts a thrust on theroller 56 and the pin, thus exerting a force to move the crosshead outwardly and to a ply the brakes. In this action the springs o the motor, which have been placed under tension when the brakes are released, are allowed toslacken and thus effect this movement.- On

account of the leverage which may be obtained through the medium of the 0 rating lever 59, the crosshead may be hel in any desired position from the brakes fully released to that of a full, tight ap lication of the brakes, or at any interme ate lace. Therefore, the brakes can be applied an held applied with the desired pressure.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 9, I 7

illustrate an automobile construction having a frame or chasis 105 on which is mounted the bed plate 12 and the box structure 26 containing the crosshead. The operating lever is extended and indicated by the numeral 106, this passing up through a slot 107 in the floor board 108 of the vehicle and having a hand gri end 109. The crosshead has a pair of lin s 110 connected thereto which lead to a bell crank 111, such bell crank being connected to a rock shaft 112.

. The long arm 113 of this bell crank has a pin and slot connection 114 to the link 110 and is normally retracted by the retraction spring 115 connected to the end of the long arm and to the fixed part of the vehicle frame. A first brake applyingarm 116 has a pin and slot connection 117 to brake rods 118. A retraction spring 119 is connectedbetween the end of this arm and a fixed part of the vehicle. The brake rod 118 operates a brake hand through the medium of a short lever 120, which is pivoted ona lug 121 on the brake band 122, and the o posite 'end of the brake band is connected y a link 123 to the lever 120. .The band applies pressure on the brake drum 124, this band being illusrod 126 connected to the arm 125 by a in and slot connection 127 The driver ma ed-on the seat 128' and can, there ore, conveniently manipulate the. hand lever 106 for 7 e seatapplyin and releasing the brakes and holding the rakes at any desired degree ofapplication.

In Fig. construction for use in an automobile in which the box structure 26 is reversed in position and a foot pedal 128 is rovided. This foot pedal has a toe cap 129 w ich may be engaged y a-persons toe for pulling the device to the right of Fig. 10. Links 130 connect to a rocking lever 131, which lever is connected;

to a rock shaft 132, which issupported in any suitable manner. This rock shaft has an arm 133 thereon which may be formed integral with the lever 131, and from this there is a brake applying rod 134. A second set of arms 135 on the rock shaft 132 has brake applying rods 136. These rods, therefore, apply the brakes at both the front and the rear of the vehicle. A strong retraction s ring 137 is connected to the arm 135 and to a xed point on the.vehicle,- and a smaller brake release spring 138 is connected to the opposite side of this arm and to a fixed point on the vehicle. By this construction it will be seen that the brakes may be applied by pressing down on the foot pedal in a normal way and may be held at any degree of applicatlon, and in order .to release the brakes and at the same time tension the springs of the main motor, the foot pedal is pulled upwardly by the toe cap 129. 7

In Figs. 1 and 11 I have illustrated an air power control mechanism for o crating the lever 58. The construction oft e air mechanism is substantially the same as in my Patcoiled spring 140 thereon, which spring has one end secured to the shaft and the other end to the housing so that the spring is normally tensioned to close the valve, the closed position of the valve being illustrated in Fig. 1; also instead of using a pocket valve as the air release, I show a manually controlled valve 141. By this construction a control of the air, for instance, in the train line in a'railway train by release of the pressure thereof causes the brake piston in the asfembly 142 to move to the left and also the piston in the control valve 143 to move to the left. The movement of the brake piston, therefore, operates the brake operating lever 58, swinging this to the left and having the same effect as the I have illustrated a modified\ manual operation and control of this lever. V

By this construction, the air systemic merely used to operate the lever 58 and the spring motor, together with the crosshead and the wedging or cam arm 36 functions 1n the direct application of the brakes.

In order that the wedging arm 36 may be readily ad usted, a cover plate 146 is secured to one side of the boxlike structure '26. On removal of this plate the pin 37 may be readily removed and inserted in other perforations :2 to effect the adjusting of the wedge arm Various changes may be madein the de- 7 crosshead to urge said crosshead into brake applying position.

2. In a brake as claimed in claim 1, the means to initiate the movement of the crosshead being mounted for returning the crosshead to its original position, and said interactlngmeans being operative to rotate the shaft in a reverse direction and thereby tension the springs of the motor on release of the brake.

3.- In a brake, a slidable crosshead having means connected theretofor applying and releasing brakes, means to control the recip-. rocation ofsaid crosshead, a rotatable shaft having a spring motor connected thereto'to rotate said shaft, an interacting means between the shaft and the crosshead to urge said crosshead to a brake applying position in reciprocation of the crosshead in one direction, the reciprocation of the crosshead in the opposite direction for releasing the brakes causing said interacting means to rotate the shaft for tensioning the springsof the motor.

4. In a brake, a slidable crosshead havin means connected thereto for appl ing and releasing brakes, a'rotatable sha having a spring motor connected thereto, a wedging arm connected to said shaft, a roller on the crosshead engaged by said arm, means to initiate a sliding movement of the crosshead for applying the brakes, said shaft being rotatable by the spring, and said'arm exerting a pressure on the roller to shift the crosshead in the same direction.

5. In a brake as claimed in claim 4, the means for urging the crosshead for applying the brakes having a connection therewith for returning the crosshead to its original position'for release of the brakes, and said roller being adapted to rotate the wedging arm and the shaft of the motor to tension the springs of such motor. v p 6. In a brake, a slidable crosshead having a means connectedthereto for applying brakes, a pivotally mounted lever having a connection with the crosshead. to reci rocate same for'applying and releasing bra es, a spring motor having a rotatable shaft, and an interacting -meansbetween the. shaft and the crosshead to urge thecrosshead into a brake applying position on release of the springs, said interacting means bein adapted to rotate the shaft in a reverse direction for .re-

tensioning the springs on release of the brake.

7 In a brake as claimed in claim 6, said interacting means between the shaft and the crosshead being adjustably mounted on the shaft to permit changing of the relation of the interacting means and saidcrosshead.

8-. In a brake, a slidable crosshead having means connected thereto for applying brakes, a pivotally mounted lever having a connection with the'crosshead to reciprocate same for applying and releasing brakes, a spring motor having a rotatable shaft, a wedging arm connected to the shaft, a roller on the crosshead engaged by said arm, the movement of the lever to shift the crosshead in one direction being adapted to force the roller'against the arm to rotate said shaft and tension the springs of a spring motor, and in the oppositemovement .of said lever the springs bein adapted to rotate the shaftand cause the we ging arm to exert a pressure on said roller in the movement of the crosshead.

9. In a brake as claimed in' claim 8, said wedgin am being ad]ustably mounted on the sha whereby'the wedging relation be- 40 tween said arm and the roller will be changed.

10. In a brake, a boxlike structure having a uideway with a crosshead slidably mounttherein, one end of the crosshead projects ing beyond the end of the structure having means for applying and releasing brakes, a lever ivotally mounted inthe upper part of said structure and having its lower end enga g the crosshead to reciprocate such cross ead, arotatable shaft mounted in the lower part of the box structure and having a fixed and an adjustable wedging arm mounted thereon, an adjusting means interconnecti ing the fixed and the adjustable arm, a roller mounted on the crosshead and engageable by I the wedging arm, one end of' the shaft extending beyond the side of the box and having springs connected thereto forming a spring motor, said spring motor causing the wedging arm to exert a pressure against the roller, and the movement of the crosshead in one direction being adapted to rotate said shaft and to tension the springs of the motor, and in the opposite direction the spring motor being adaptedto rotate the shaft and cause the wedging arm to exert a pressure against the-roller for movement of the crosshead.

11. In a brake as claimed in claim 10, a flat base connected to the box structure and havmg plns at opposite ends, the springs of the motor being connectedat one end to the shaft and at the other end to "perforated straps, sa1d straps being adapted to engage the pins to vary the tension of the springs.

1 2. In a brake,- a slidable crosshead, a spring motor having a shaft, means to inter-. connect the shaft and the crosshead, means to-move the crosshead, the movement of the crosshead in one direction exerting a turning rcssure on the shaft'to tension the sprin t ereof, said shaft in the movement of to crosshead in the opposite direction causing the interacting means to exert a pressure to move the crossheadfor applying brakes, a qbrake and a spring operatively' connected thereto, the spring of the brakehavinga connecting means to the crosshead whereby such brake spring becomes tensioned on applying the brakes, and such tension is released when the brakes are released.

a 13. In a brake, a-slidable crosshead, a first spring motor having a rotatable shaft, 9. pressure exerting means between the shaft and the crosshead adapted to urge the crosshead in one direction for applying brakes, a control means for sliding the crosshead, a brake having a brake sprin a connection from the crosshead to the bra e through said brake spring, the sliding of the crosshead in one direction increasing the tension of the springs of the spring motor and releasing the -tension of the brake spring and vice versa the slidin ofthe crosshead in the opposite direction or appllying the brakes releasing the tension of t e springs of the s ring motor and increasing the tension 0 the brake spring. "14. In a brake having a brake actuating piston with a .control valve, the piston an the control valve being operated'by air, the combination of a spring for returning the control valve to its closed position, a slidable crosshead, an operating connection between the piston and the crosshead to slide same in one direction, brake applying devices connected to the crosshead, a spring motor having a rotatable shaft, and an interconnecting pressure means between such shaft and the crosshead.

15. In a brake having a brake applying cylinder with a piston therein and a control valve for the movement of the piston, the combination of a spring connected to the control valve to normally close same, and a manually. controlled release valve connected to the control valve, a slidable crosshead, a

lever interconnecting the piston and said crosshead to reciprocate said crosshead, brake a plying devices connected to the crosshead a spring motor having a rotatable shaft, and a pressure exerting means between the shaft and the crosshead.

16. In a brake, a housing structure having a slideway with a crosshead slidable therein, a spring motor having a shaft, a wedging arm connected to the shaft, means for interengaging said arm and the crosshead, a control' lever for rotating the shaft, links connected to the crosshead, a balance'lever connected to the links, brake applying devices, and springs connected between the balance lever and the brake applying devices, the springs of the motor being adapted tobe tensioned when the brakes are released, and the springs connected to the brake lever'being adapted to be tensioned when the brakes are applied.

17. In a brake, a guide structure having a slidable crosshead,-an operating lever to re ciprocate said crosshead, a spring motor having a shaft, a wedging arm adj ustably mountedon the shaft and having means for engaging the crosshead to force the crosshead in one direction, a balance lever, connections between the crosshead and said lever, a brake applying lever, springs between the balance and the brake applying lever, and an additional retraction spring for the brake lever, said operating lever being adapted to move the crosshead in one direction and ro-' tate the shaft of the motor and to tension the springs of the spring motor when the brake is in the released position, the springs of the spring motor operating to force the crosshead into brake applying position and to operate the balance lever to exert a tension on the springs between such latter lever and the brake lever whereby such latter springs become tensioned when the brake is applied.

18. In a brake, a guide structure having a slidable crosshead therein, a control lever connected to reciprocate said crosshead, a spring motor having a shaft with an ad'ustable wedging arm connected thereto to orce the crosshead into a brake applying position, said crosshead rotating the shaft and tensioning the springs when the brake is moved to the released position, a bell crank, a connection between the crosshead and one arm of the bell crank, a set of releasing springs connected to the bell crank, and

means connected to the other arm of the bell crank for applying the brakes, said latter springs becoming tensioned when the brake is shaft with an adjustable wedging'arm into engagement with the crosshead to move the crosshead into brake applying position, said crosshead when moved to the brake releasthe brakes and releasing their tension on re-.

leasing the brakes.

20. In a brake, a spring motor having a base plate with adjusting pins at-oppoflte ends, a shaft journaled in the base plate and having sprin connected thereto and extending in opposlte directions, said springs having perforated straps at the ends to engage the adjusted pins, a-slidable crosshead, a wedging arm on the shaft and having an interengaging means with the crosshead to force the crosshead in one direction, and a brake ap lying connecting means attached to the cross ead.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

I C. I. FRANTZ. 

